Shopping for Classical Music Online
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Shopping for Classical Music Online The primary focus of this article concerns finding online sources for purchase of so- called physical media—CDs, SACDs, Blu-Ray Audio discs—and not so much about digital downloads. For those readers interested in digital files and computer audio, I’ve included that as a separate discussion at the end. The ‘online’ part of this essay’s title is really an unnecessary add-on because when was the last time you’ve been in an actual store that sold classical CDs? Today everything is done online, so no need for the qualifier. The last time I was at Barnes and Nobles they only had 26 so-called classical selections which were mostly cheap compilations, crossover titles, and one CD by Bang Bang. I remember the days when I ran the classical section of a large record store and we had sixty titles in the bin just for Beethoven’s Ninth. But I’m not complaining since, in many ways, shopping is now easier both in terms of ordering from the comfort of your home at any time of the day or night, but also in being able sample recordings and find exactly what appeals to your own tastes. I’ve explored several online subscription streaming services, and I continue to buy CDs (and SACDs and DVDs) from a variety of sources which I’ll discuss here. The first question many ask when they see my wall-to-wall room with 6,000 CDs and separate storage room with 3,000 LPs is when am I going to get rid of all this museum stuff and go digital? Well, the answer is probably never. Despite some audio industry prognosticators who have declared the CD a thing of the past (just as they did with LPs, which I still use) there is simply no equivalent, universal and ubiquitous format for digital files to be a truly plug n’ play system like CDs. I get into all the nitty-gritty of that discussion at the end. For now, let’s focus on how to buy CDs, and how to use online subscription streaming services as the ultimate pre-purchase audition process. I highly recommend finding an online subscription service that allows you to access and stream complete recordings. Consider these services as the equivalent of Netflix for classical music lovers. As I’ve said, I’ve explored several but have been happiest with ClassicalArchives.com. They have their library fairly well organized and have probably the overall best choice of recordings (though none of them have everything). For about $8 a month I have unlimited access to their library. Yes, there are a few quirks in browsing that annoy, but the other sites were even more annoying. My quibble with Classical Archives is that every time I back page from “View Album” to the menu I have to reset my viewing preference from the default setting of track numbers (who cares about that?) to the Artist’s name, and sometimes I get thrown back to the main menu. But the other sites have issues that were even more irksome. All told, I wouldn’t be without this service. It allows me to listen to recordings that are not in my own collection, and it functions as an audition process by which I can then buy CDs of recordings that really appeal to me. They also offer discounts on downloads for those who so desire. www.PianoEnthusiast.com Right now, let’s talk about how to get good old-fashioned CDs. I have experimented with many online sources, and aside from a few cracked CD cases from poor packing, I don’t have any real horror stories to relate. However, a few suppliers stand out as favorites and my go-to sources simply because they are easier to browse through, and follow-up with careful packaging and prompt delivery. My overall favorite source is PrestoClassical.co.uk. Because the UK has a favored nation status as a trade partner, there are no duties or tariffs levied on CD orders. Prices given on the site are listed in US dollars if that is where you are located. The first time I ordered my credit card company put a temporary stop on the transaction until I called them to verify that this out-of-country transaction was legitimate; once Presto was on my authorized list I had no problems with subsequent orders. I have ordered from them numerous times and they pack more thoroughly than any other company (sturdy boxes with lots of bubble wrap). First and foremost, the site is organized better than any of the others, they post various critical reviews for each item, and they offer generous one-minute samples on featured items. The featured items are usually whatever labels happens to be on sale that month, at which point you will be able to sample just about everything from those labels. If you wait for a sale, prices on import CDs such Hyperion or BIS are less expensive than from any other domestic source. They also have a great sale on opera sets every summer (up to 40% off). Many European releases show up on this site 3-6 months before they are available in the U.S. The down side is that you shouldn’t order from them if you are in a hurry to get something; orders often take 6-7 weeks to clear customs and get delivered. Presto also sells music books and music scores. For my purposes this a one-stop shop! If you are ever in the U.K. to visit the Shakespeare House, Presto has an actual brick-and-mortar shop that is nearby. Among North American suppliers, I have, like everybody else, used Amazon, and I have been able to find some out-of-print items, sometimes new, sometimes used. I’ve had good luck with orders filled by Amazon itself, however some of the sub- contracted suppliers have taken a long time to deliver, or packaged with minimal care so that CDs arrive with cracked cases or with the prongs holding the CDs all busted out. I’ve never complained because I have plenty of spare CD cases about, but I do make a note of suppliers that don’t seem to care and I don’t give them any more of my business. My wife is a dedicated Amazon user, buying books by the handful every month, and I understand the value of their prime program which gives free shipping, and also allows us to watch choice movie and television programs for free on Amazon prime. In any case, the browsing format will be familiar to most everybody, but compared to the dedicated classical music sites, I find the Amazon format nowhere near as helpful. You can’t browse new releases or future releases, or get industry news, and I can’t go through pages of Hammerklavier Sonatas like I can on Presto, if that’s what I’m after. The “recently browsed” or “customers who bought this also bought this” features on Amazon are really of no practical use to me. I’d rather have quick access to all other recordings by performer or of the individual work. Just compare their format with Presto and you’ll see what I mean. www.PianoEnthusiast.com I also used the Classical Music Superstore (Alibris.com) a couple of times to get some hard-to-find items, and their Nashville supplier was prompt and came well-packed, but, as with Amazon, some of the suppliers shipped directly from Denmark or Germany in poorly packed paper sleeves that had my CDs arriving with shattered cases. Another indispensable source is ArkivMusic.com which is a subsidiary of Steinway & Sons. They have a unique service agreement with Polygram, Warner, and others which allows them to manufacture discs on demand, items that have otherwise been out-of-print and unavailable from any other source. Once a year they have a sale on these exclusive archive issues. In terms of browsing they are not so great, and they are rather stingy with sound samples of items (which never start at the beginning of a track but always at some random point in the middle!). Nevertheless, this is definitely a site to put on your favorites tab bar! I have used them many times and have always been very satisfied with the service. One other site worth mentioning is hbdirect.com. They often have good sales and specials on closeout items, and orders over a certain amount include postage and handling which actually makes the end price one of the most competitive in the market. I don’t like their browsing system at all, with too many drawdown tabs and such to get to the desired work I’m after. Once you get to where you want to be, say “Bach piano,” the pictures and text are well laid-out and browsing can be fun, if not as focused as with Presto. Sound samples fade in and out and give you about 26 seconds to listen to. Their home page is all about the top 25 best sellers (I certainly don’t give a wit about that) and a poorly-set, jumbled presentation of upcoming releases. I’d seriously recommend they re-design the home page. Like I said, Presto is hard to beat in terms of layout and ease of browsing. But HB Direct (Formerly Haverstick & Ballyk classical mail-order) is a company I’ve dealt with for over two decades, and they’re good people.